Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-28
JOHN SELWYN'S RETURN.
BY FRANK BLANDING.

It was "New Years Eve," the wind
blew in gusts, whistled around the cor-
ners Of streets, and searched the hooks
and crannies, whirling bits of paper
and other rubbish high in the air.
The failing snow blew in the faces of
pedestrians, nearly binding them,
causing them to turn their backs Go
the piercing blast and draw their
mutflers closer about their faces; but
for the street lanterns one could
hardly distinguish objects g, yard in
advance.
The stores were closed and the pro-
prietors had gone home, the business
Of the day over, TO seek their warm
iresides and talk with their children
Of the morrow, when the New Year
would smile upon them and bright
resolutions for the future would be
made. The hotels only were open.
and they were lit up with many lights,
go cheer the lonely wayfarer, seekinga
place OF repose.
On just such q night as described,
John Selwvn was making his laborious
way along one of the streets just off
could rest and recuperate from a voy-
age across the Atlantic. New York
was John Selwyn's native city, but he
went away when quite young, and now
in his fortieth year had returned to
this home of his youth.
john father and mother we're dead;
he had one sister living, he supposed,
but had heard nothing from her for
ten long years. So he felt himself a
stranger III his own land.
The Grand Central Hottl towards
which John Selwyn was making his
way, was yet some distance Off, and
the wind seemed to increase every
moment, while the snow covered the
ground to the depth Of a foot or more.
Musing TO himself, J Ohm trudged along
where wes his little sister Mary? Lit
tie! Why Mary must be q woman
grown now, perhaps married and liv
Ing IN New York City. If living, he
promised himself over and over again,
as he waded through the snow, to do
his utmost to find her.
As q wilder blast struck him with
Iull force, and nearly turned him
about with it's ferceness, he felt tug
ging at the sleeve Of MS coat.
Turning suddenly, he saw diminu-
tive little child in ragged garments,
her head nearly enveloped IN an old
battered shawl.
Looking up at him with a pleading
tace, she said: ''Please, sir give me
some money to buy bread for my
mother; Oh please sir, and God will
bless you"
John Selwyn had 8, kind heart, but
be did not ike to be imposed upon.
He kuey there were children sent out
by wretches living in the great city,
for the purpose of enticing strangers
into their dens where perhaps they
would he robbed and even worse,
murdered. So. he almost roughly
shock of the grasp OF the little hand
slill clutching MS sleeve, and strobe
away Ia the darkness. He had not
gone far, however, when his heart
smote him for the action. He hesl-
tated, perhaps, thought he, she spoke
the truth, at all events | should have
questioned her, she may have g. sick
mother. such q sweet face as she had
too, truly the face is an index TO the
soul, and surely there could be no
wickedness concealed II those eyes
locking up at me so pleadingly. Why
did I not ask her where she lived?
Perhaps [ can find her again, and
turning John retraced his steps till he
had passed the spot where he had en-
countered the poor child, but could
find no trace OF her
He hurried on and his search was
rewarded at last by catching q glimpse